EVERYBODY knows that Koalas are just about the cutest critters alive but the Hertfordshire heartlands are a long way from their tropical Australian home so for residents of Bishop’s Stortford getting to see one can be a bit tricky.

However, thanks to the Rhodes Arts Complex presentation of the charming family musical How The Koala Learnt To Hug the joy of koalas can come to everyone!

Written especially for parents to enjoy with their children, How The Koala Learnt To Hug is a charming, tale about the magic of family and, of course, the importance of a nice warm hug!

The show is based on the title story from How The Koala Learnt To Hug and Other Australian Fairytales, a beautiful collection of ten tales by popular children’s author Steven Lee. It is on tour again in 2015 to celebrate its fifth anniversary

Steven was primarily a playwright when he wrote the book having already had success with the musicals The Witch’s Bogey and Bink and The Hairy Fairy so he says that adapting his own book for the stage was a natural step but it must be a surprise even to him that it has had such longevity.

“Hugs are timeless and wonderful reminders of our shared affection” Steven says. “They’re central to being part of any group that cares about one another but especially a family and I think that’s why people are so drawn to the show. There’s nothing nasty in it. It’s just about the lovely things in life like picnics and nature and sharing time with your loved ones.”

With heartwarming outback characters and a clever mixture of live action puppetry and animatronics the show is wholesome charming entertainment for the whole family. Having garnered multiple five star reviews five years ago it looks set to charm a whole new generation of theatre goers.

How The Koala Learnt To Hug will be at The Rhodes Arts Complex on Friday 5th February ay 11am and 1pm and on Saturday 6th February at 2pm.

To book your tickets call 01279 710 200 or go online at www.rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk and join Steven and a host of wild characters including Natascha the Witch, The Reggae Beavers and Karen the Koala for some great stories, sing along songs, superb games and first class hugging.
 
All you need are your ears.
 
(And your arms!)